Simple Flavours

Sham Shui Po’s history as an industrial hub has given it a dining scene renowned for humble pleasures that are cheap and cheerful. From traditional noodles to creative desserts, you can easily enjoy a great meal here without breaking the bank. You can also stop by any of the street food vendors for something to snack on, or experience a fresh new flavour brought by young entrepreneurs at everything from cool cafés to casual burger joints.

Humble pleasures

Kung Wo Beancurd Factory

Kung Wo Beancurd Factory has been in Sham Shui Po since 1960. The old-school store sells various soy products, which have remained popular throughout the years. The signature beancurd puddings are smooth as silk and boast a rich soybean flavour. The beancurd puffs, deep-fried tofu and homemade sugar-free soy milk are also worth trying.

Address:

118 Pei Ho Street, Sham Shui Po, Kowloon

Tel:

+852 2386 6871

Tim Ho Wan

Not only is Tim Ho Wan considered one of the best dim sums spots in Hong Kong, this local neighbourhood gem offers one of the cheapest Michelin-starred dining experiences in the world. Its most famous dish? The baked barbecue pork buns are mouth-watering and addictive.

There’s nowhere else in Hong Kong that does better beef and egg sandwiches than Sun Hang Yuen. Aside from its trademark sandwiches, this 24-hour cha chaan teng (Hong Kong-style café) is also known for its pork knuckle noodles and milk tea, which can be ordered without sugar or with different milk ratios.

This local cha chaan teng is known for its pig’s liver noodles. It might not sound the most appealing, but locals and tourists alike make the journey to Sham Shui Po for this unique dish. If liver is not to your taste, you can also choose beef, ham, egg or sausage. If you fancy something sweeter, be sure to go for the kaya French toast.

Address:

62 & 66 Fuk Wing Street, Sham Shui Po, Kowloon

Tel:

+852 2387 6515

Lau Sum Kee Noodle

Founded more than 60 years ago, this old-school restaurant still makes its noodles from scratch – a real rarity in Hong Kong. Second-generation owner, Lau Fat-cheong, carries on the family tradition of kneading dough with a heavy bamboo pole to create a firmer and more textured noodle. The restaurant’s lo mein (dry noodles) are a must-try, and are famously served with a massive portion of dried shrimp roe to give them a huge umami punch.

Address:

48 Kweilin Street, Sham Shui Po, Kowloon

Tel:

+852 2386 3533

Yuen Fong Dumpling Store

Yuen Fong has a loyal fan base, thanks to its deliciously plump, hand-wrapped dumplings. The leek and meat dumplings are a must-try. These can be ordered in soup or pan-fried to a crisp, golden brown. Aside from dumplings, Yuen Fong also offers noodles, congee and snacks – all under HK$50.

Address:

104 Fuk Wa Street, Sham Shui Po, Kowloon

Tel:

+852 2720 0855

Block 18 Doggie's Noodle

Don’t worry – there’s no dog meat in these ‘dog noodles’, which some claim to be named for their stubby, tail-like shape. These noodles were a popular street snack during the 1950s and early ‘60s, thanks to their cheap but filling nature. At Block 18, they’re topped with cost-effective yet flavourful ingredients such as mushrooms, dried shrimp, garlic and preserved vegetables. Aside from the noodles, we also recommend the umami mock shark’s fin soup made with shredded duck.

Address:

88 Fuk Wing Street, Sham Shui Po, Kowloon

Flying Eagle

Flying Eagle is one of the few old-school, Chinese-style steakhouses left in the city. Opened in 1977, the family-run eatery has retained much of its photo-worthy retro look, as well as its pan-European menu, which includes dishes such as borscht soup, German pork knuckle and various cuts of steak served theatrically on a sizzling iron plate.

Address:

258 Lai Chi Kok Road, Sham Shui Po, Kowloon

Tel:

+852 2395 2576

Sun Luen Feng Noodles

Opened for more than 30 years, this humble neighbourhood gem is known for its down-to-earth but delicious noodles, including its wonton soup noodles and ja jeung meen (noodles with soybean paste). If you don’t have time to sit down, you should still try the famed curry fishballs and octopus, which are sold outside the store.

Address:

143 Kweilin Street, Sham Shui Po, Kowloon

Man Kei Cart Noodles

Man Kei Cart Noodles is so popular that it boasts three outlets on the same block – all of which are constantly packed with diners. The eatery offers a diverse selection of noodle types, soup bases and ingredients that are all prepared fresh to order. Try the chu hou beef brisket and Swiss chicken wings, as well as the special chilli sauce, which is made in-house. These items are so tasty, they’re recommended even in Michelin’s street food guide.

Address:

109, 121 & 123 Fuk Wing Street, Sham Shui Po, Kowloon

Tel:

+852 9059 5104

Luk Lam Dessert

Luk Lam has remained a neighbourhood favourite since opening its doors in Sham Shui Po more than 30 years ago. The shop specialises in traditional Chinese desserts such as sweet soups made from red bean, nuts or black sesame. If you want something more novel, Luk Lam also offers creative new sweets such as tofu pudding and durian pancake.

Address:

77-79 Un Chau Street, Sham Shui Po, Kowloon

Tel:

+852 2361 4205

Pei Ho Counterparts

Pei Ho’s owner Ming Gor is a true local hero. He came up with different ways to help the needy in Sham Shui Po, first by offering meal vouchers for his restaurant and eventually by handing out free lunchboxes. The restaurant serves cha chaan teng staples such as noodles and rice sets. These may be simple but they’re also the sort of food that feeds the soul.

Locals come to this corner eatery for its homemade Chinese sweets. Recommended in Michelin’s street food guide, the shop is most famous for its bowl puddings – aka put chai koh in Cantonese – which are made with white or brown sugar and studded with red beans. Other traditional treats include white sugar cakes and black sesame rolls.

Address:

115-117 Fuk Wa Street, Sham Shui Po, Kowloon

Tel:

+852 2360 0328

Hop Yik Tai

Made fresh every day, the delicious cheong fun – or rice noodle roll – is incredibly smooth and pairs perfectly with the combination of sweet sauce, sesame sauce and soy sauce. This humble snack costs only a few dollars and is recommended even by the Michelin Guide. It’s no wonder there are queues all the time.

Address:

121 Kweilin Street, Sham Shui Po, Kowloon

Tel:

+852 2720 0239

San Lung Cake Shop

This neighbourhood gem sells traditional Chinese sweets, from black sesame cakes to flaky pastries filled with whole century eggs. It’s also one of the few places left in Hong Kong that handmakes and bakes its mooncakes fresh to order. A true labour of love, these pastries sell hundreds a day in the lead-up to the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Address:

68 Pei Ho Street, Sham Shui Po, Kowloon

Tel:

+852 2360 1359

King of Coconut

This street stall has multiple locations across the city, thanks to the popularity of its coconut beverage. The drink is prepared fresh to order and is made using the juice of Thai or Malaysian coconuts. Sweet and refreshing, it’s the perfect accompaniment to Sham Shui Po’s many street eats.

Address:

42-44 Kweilin Street, Sham Shui Po, Kowloon

Hei Hei Snack Stall

Located at the juncture of Kweilin Street and Fuk Wing Street, this bustling food stall is one of the best spots to sample Hong Kong’s local street snacks. What sets it apart from other places is the wide range of items it offers. You can order everything from the common curry fishball and egg waffles to deep-fried fish siu mai, pig’s intenstines and soy-braised cow offal.

Address:

125 Fuk Wing Street, Sham Shui Po, Kowloon

A fresh new flavour

Kakurega Ramen Factory

This hidden eatery attracts flocks of dedicated foodies. Some wait for more than an hour to try the famous tsukemen – a type of ramen that’s served with a separate bowl of dipping broth. The menu is sparse, listing only three choices of pork bone bases (original, black garlic and spicy). Once you’ve decided on your broth, you can choose additional accompaniments such as soft-boiled egg and char siu pork.

Fronted by a large, floor-to-ceiling window that lets in plenty of natural light, this bright and comfortable restaurant offers quality western cuisine, which is something of a rarity in Sham Shui Po. The set menus are hearty and affordable, and feature everything from pastas and risottos to steaks and seafood, most of which are prepared from market-fresh ingredients.

Café Sausalito’s founder spent a lot of time in Sham Shui Po before opening this coffee shop in 2014. The charming café has since become a mecca for javaholics across the city with its brilliant brews, including a single origin pour-over coffee, as well as the Cucumberano – a cucumber flavoured Americano and soda water concoction. Stop by during weekends for some awesome live jamming sessions.

Inspired by the blue-collar American ethos, Burgerman’s mission is to serve quality food at affordable prices. Keeping to this promise, the patties here are made with 100% prime ground beef and even the milkshakes are blended with fresh ingredients. The portions are also incredibly generous. Order the signature double-patty Trucker Burger and you’ll see what we mean.

Address:

65-71 Yen Chow Street, Sham Shui Po, Kowloon

Tel:

+852 2361 1330

See More

Taste more simple flavours at these eateries in Sham Shui Po.

Kee Wah Bakery LimitedKee Wah Bakery first started as a small neighbourhood grocery store in 1938. With the hard work of its founder, Mr. Wong Yip Wing, and his workers, the business has expanded from bridal cakes, to mooncakes and other Chinese local favourites. Today Kee Wah Bakery has become a globally renowned traditional Chinese bakery brand, and a top souvenir of choice for Hong Kong and its visitors.

San Lung RestaurantSan Lung Restaurant is one of the must-visit restaurants for beef brisket noodles. They are renowned for its Beef Brisket in Broth and in Curry with soft and tender meat.

Shaan Indian RestaurantShaan Indian Restaurant specialises in Indian cuisine, including curry dishes that are rich in flavour and texture, roti, salad and rice dishes.

Tam's ShopTam’s Shop is one of the locals’ all-time favourite restaurants for Yunnan rice noodles. Although it serves Yunnan-style dishes, it has taken on its own form in Hong Kong when it comes to the ingredients and flavours. Enjoy a big bowl of well-cooked noodles, with self-selected toppings and soup base (the spicy one offers ten degrees of spiciness for you to choose from). Apart from the noodles, a number of vegetarian snacks and the crispy chicken wings are also must-try dishes.

Wing Wah Cake Shop LtdFounded in Yuen Long in 1950 as a Chinese restaurant and bakery, Wing Wah is one of Hong Kong’s earliest and most important catering groups. In addition to its restaurants, mooncakes, traditional Chinese wedding cakes and preserved meat sausages, the group has diversified into the production of a wide range of Chinese and Western bakery products and health foods.

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